N.C. Wildlife News Brief - October 30, 2015

Five New Wildlife Commissioners Appointed and Six Reappointed

The Wildlife Commission has added five commissioners to its governing board and reappointed six commissioners to new terms. New commissioners are: Richard Edwards and Landon Zimmer of Wilmington; John Stone of Jackson Springs; Mike Johnson and Dean Proctor of Hickory. Reappointed commissioners are: Nat Harris of Whitsett; Thomas Fonville of Raleigh; Garry Spence of Charlotte; Mark Craig and Tom Berry of Greensboro; and Tim Spear of Creswell. More

Commissioners Vote to Take Proposed Rule Changes to Public Hearings in January 2016

On Oct. 22, 2015, wildlife commissioners voted to take to nine public hearings in January 2016 proposed changes to the state’s wildlife management, game lands and fishing regulations. Read the list of the proposed regulations, as well as dates and locations for the 2016 public hearings. The public will be able to comment online on the proposed regulations starting Nov. 16.

Wearing Blaze Orange Required When Hunting During Gun Season This Fall

Through its Home From The Hunt™ safety campaign, the Wildlife Commission reminds hunters that wearing blaze orange, also known as hunter orange, is required when hunting bear, feral hogs, deer, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant or quail with a firearm. Hunters are required to wear a cap, hat or an outer garment in blaze orange that is visible from all sides. Anyone hunting deer during a deer firearms season, regardless of method, must wear blaze orange. More

Make Tree Stand Safety a Priority

Another message from the Wildlife Commission’s Home From The Hunt™ safety campaign reminds hunters to make tree stand safety a top priority when in the field this season. A few guidelines that hunters can follow to prevent injuries when using a tree stand are:

Bat Populations in Peril because of White-Nose Syndrome

What’s scarier than bats at Halloween? A world without bats, that’s what. While bats may get a bad rap, they are hugely important in the ecosystem, playing key roles in keeping us healthy and well fed. But bats are in trouble. Big trouble because of a deadly disease known as white-nose syndrome. It has killed millions of bats in the eastern United States, including bats in western North Carolina. Some bat hibernacula — caves and mines — in western North Carolina have seen dramatic population declines although these declines associated with the deadly disease appear to be leveling off in some areas. More

Calling All Wildlife Artists for North Carolina Duck Stamp Competition

The Wildlife Commission, along with the Washington Tourism Development Authority, is seeking artists’ entries for the N.C. Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Print. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2016 at the Washington Tourism Development Authority, 108 Gladden Street, Washington, N.C. 27889. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2016-17 waterfowl conservation stamp, also known as the North Carolina duck stamp. More

Seven Final Game Land Management Plans Available

The Wildlife Commission has posted online the final versions of game land management plans for the following game lands: Green River; Holly Shelter; Lower Roanoke River Wetland; R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell; Sandhills; Sandy Mush; and Suggs Mill. Each management plan has general information about the game land itself, including physical attributes, infrastructure, potential improvements, and other amenities found on the game land. Each plan is the culmination of a broad array of input, ideas and needs expressed by land managers and public users of the game lands. Download the game land plans and learn more about the Game Land Program in North Carolina.

Little Tennessee River Designated as the First Native Fish Conservation Area

The Little Tennessee River basin has been designated the nation’s first Native Fish Conservation Area – a designation that recognizes river basins with a focus on stream management for the conservation and restoration of native fish and other aquatic wildlife that is paired with compatible recreation and commercial uses. The end goal is to ensure the long-term survival of native aquatic species. The designation is supported by the Little Tennessee River Basin Native Fish Conservation Partnership, which includes the Wildlife Commission. More

Bobcat T-Shirt Debuts

The official N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission T-shirt this year features a bobcat and the agency’s distinctive diamond logo on the front and an enlarged image of the bobcat on the back.

The beige, 100% cotton T-shirt comes in youth sizes ($12) and adult ($15). All proceeds benefit the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program through a generous donation from Neuse Sport Shop. Available only through the Commission’s N.C. Wild Store and Neuse Sport Shop.

The always-popular 2016 North Carolina Wildlife Calendar is available on the Wildlife Commission's N.C. Wild Store! Among the many features the calendar offers are outstanding wildlife art with profiles of each artist, fishing days and moon phase information and a detailed almanac. Get yours today at the N.C. Wild Store.